Editors' Favorite Wisconsin Destinations

"With seemingly few chain hotels, stores or fast-food outlets, Door County, northeast of Green Bay, has a pristine charm all its own. I love the boats bobbing in the harbors; the unspoiled beaches; the charmingly quaint towns; the rolling woods, farmlands and cherry orchards; the small-town waterside restaurants; the art galleries; and unique shops. It's my favorite escape from commercialism and everyday stress; I can relax, play, revive my spirituality and dream of a simpler way of life."

"National Mustard Day in Middleton is hands-down the funniest small-town festival I've attended. The big draw is free hot dogs, supplied by the local Oscar Meyer company. Grab one fresh off the grill, and squirt on the exotic mustard of your choice. (Chipotle, garlic, jalapeño, you name it.) There are funny games (bowling for mustard), weird foods (mustard custard), plus of course the National Mustard Museum, which is a destination in its own right. Just don't ask anyone for ketchup."

"Every July 4th weekend, I take my family to Spring Green for an outdoor performance of the American Players Theatre. Typically, we see a Shakespeare production, but we are open to almost anything they offer. Every year, it has been special, like a little pocket of time in the woods. We picnic on the grounds beforehand, then walk the winding paths through the trees to the theater tucked on a hillside, and a magical first-rate production under the stars. The shows are very well done and an incredible escape."

"Lambeau Field was wrapping up its renovation when Mark and I got married. Mark is a huge Packers fan. For his wedding gift, I bought a big brick and inscribed it with a note about what a gentleman and fan he is. We went to visit our brick and take in a Packers/Patriots game when we returned to the Midwest a couple of years later."

"For the classic University of Wisconsin Madison tailgate experience, look no further than the Memorial Union patio. Here fans gather and enjoy a grilled brat while overlooking Lake Mendota. As the sea of red clothing grows, so does game-day anticipation."

"I'd call this the greatest outdoor adventure in the Midwest. There's no thrill like taking kayaks out onto Superior, and the sound of the waves throbbing against the walls inside the Sand Island sea caves is one I'll never forget."

"We were getting the traditional drive-around-town tour of Milwaukee -- seeing the major highlights like the art museum, lake, Fonzie, etc.-- when we stumbled upon North Point Lighthouse. Our friends leading our 'tour' were new to the area and had no idea this little gem was sitting in the middle of an elegant, old neighborhood. We wandered the keeper's quarter reading about the keepers before climbing to the top, where we got to step outside. It was a blustery day, so Lake Michigan looked a little wind-tossed, making it easy to imagine ships wrecking!"

"A 1-mile (round trip) trek to Morgan Falls in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest afforded my kids and me the perfect hiking experience -- plenty of fresh air, trees and streambeds to explore, but tempered with wide, mostly flat trails that didn't elicit much whining from us nonhikers. The hardest part of the climb was the final, optional rocky ascent to the midfalls pools, which was just enough adventure to make us feel like we'd really accomplished something."

"The Great River Road along the Mississippi River has to be my favorite drive. I am especially fond of the stretch from Red Wing to Alma, Wisconsin. This section is a diamond in the rough. About halfway between the two towns is Pepin, a small town of 800 people. Along Lake Pepin (off the main road) is the Pickle Factory with some of the best food. I think we ate dinner there every night."

"We spent a lazy summer week in Wisconsin's North Woods with three of our kids, who were 12, 16 and 21 (not the easiest ages to please!). Our favorite experiences: Kayaking on the quiet lakes while eagles soared overhead, and feeding the friendly -- and accessible -- goats, rabbits and other animals at Wildwood Wildlife Park."